
3
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
Driving:
Ignition lock53
Starting the engine53
Switching off the engine54
Parking brake54
Manual transmission55
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic56
Parking lamps/Low beams59
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp
flasher60
Instrument lighting61
Fog lamps61
Interior lamps61
Washer/wiper system62
Washer fluid63
Cruise control64
Everything under control:
Odometer66
Clock66
Fuel gauge66
Coolant temperature gauge67
Tachometer68
Service interval display68
Onboard computer69Technology for safety and driving
convenience:
Driving stability control systems71
Flat Tire Monitor73
Airbags75
Park Distance Control (PDC)77
Controlling the climate for pleasant
driving:
Air conditioning system78
Automatic climate control81
Interior conveniences:
Glove compartment84
Center armrest84
Drinks holders, ashtray85
Cigarette lighter, 12 V power supply85
Integrated universal remote control86
Loading and transporting cargo:
Luggage compartment in the MINI88
Luggage compartment in the MINI
Convertible89
Loading cargo90
Roof-mounted luggage rack93OPERATION, CARE, MAINTENANCE
Special operating instructions:
Break-in procedures96
General driving notes96
Refueling99
Wheels and tires:
Tire inflation pressure101
Tire coding105
Tire condition106
Run Flat tires108
New wheels and tires109
Snow chains110

7
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
Editorial notice
The manufacturer pursues a policy of con-
tinuous, ongoing development that is con-
ceived to ensure that MINI vehicles con-
tinue to embody the highest quality and
safety standards combined with advanced,
state-of-the-art technology. For this rea-
son, the features described in this Owner's
Manual could, in rare cases, differ from
those in your vehicle.
For your own safety
Fuels:
Use unleaded gasoline only. Fuels
containing up to and including 10 %
ethanol or other oxygenates with up to
2.8 % oxygen by weight, i.e. 15 % MTBE or
3 % methanol plus an equivalent amount of
co-solvent, will not void the applicable war-
ranties with respect to defects in materials
or workmanship. Field experience has indi-
cated significant differences in fuel quality,
i.e. volatility, composition, additives, etc.,
among gasolines offered for sale in the
United States and Canada. The use of
poor-quality fuels may result in driveabil-
ity, starting and stalling problems espe-
cially under certain environmental condi-
tions, such as high ambient temperature
and high altitude.
Should you encounter driveability prob-
lems which you suspect could be related to
the fuel you are using, we recommend that
you respond by switching to a recognized
high-quality brand.
Failure to comply with these recommenda-
tions may result in unscheduled mainte-
nance.
Obey pertinent safety rules when you are
handling gasoline.<
Maintenance and repair:
Advanced technology, e.g. the use of
modern materials and powerful elec-
tronics, requires specially adapted mainte-
nance and repair methods. Have the neces-
sary work on your MINI carried out by a
MINI Dealer or a workshop that has spe-
cially trained personnel working in accor-
dance with the specifications of the MINI
manufacturer. Work that is improperly car-
ried out could result in consequential dam-
age and pose safety hazards.
lowing warning.
Engine exhaust and a wide variety of
automobile components and parts,
including components found in the interior
furnishings in a vehicle, contain or emit
chemicals known to the State of California
to cause cancer and birth defects and
reproductive harm. In addition, certain flu-
ids contained in vehicles and certain prod-
ucts of component wear contain or emit
chemicals known to the State of California
to cause cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm.
Battery posts, terminals and related acces-
sories contain lead and lead compounds.
Batteries also contain other chemicals
known to the State of California to cause
cancer. Wash your hands after handling.
Used engine oil contains chemicals that
have caused cancer in laboratory animals.
Always protect your skin by washing thor-
oughly with soap and water.<
NOTES

13
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
1 Tachometer68
with indicator and warning lamps,
page16ff
2 Display for onboard computer69
without onboard computer:
Display of outside temperature and cur-
rent vehicle speed
3 Speedometer with indicator and warn-
ing lamps, page16 ff4 Indicator for
>Odometer66
>Trip odometer66
>Service interval68
>Program indicator for automatic
transmission with Steptronic57
>Clock
5 Trip odometer, reset to zero66
Setting the clock666 Fuel gauge67
7 Engine coolant temperature gauge67
DISPLAY ELEMENTS

15
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
DISPLAY ELEMENTS WITH NAVIGATION SYSTEM* OR COCKPIT CHRONO PACK*
1 Indicator and warning lamps, page16 ff
2 Fuel gauge67
For more information about the navigation
system, refer to the Owner's Manual for
Navigation System.3 Engine oil temperature
4 Engine oil pressure
5 Coolant temperature6 Indicator and warning lamps, page16 ff
7 Fuel gauge67

24
KEYS CENTRAL LOCKING SYSTEM
Depending on your vehicle's equipment
vesion, you will have received the following
keys:
1 Master keys with remote control
2 Spare key
Master keys with remote control
In every master key with remote control,
there is an extended-life battery as a power
supply that is charged automatically in the
ignition lock as you drive.
You should therefore use each master key at
least twice a year to maintain the charge sta-
tus.
Depending on which master key the vehicle
detects when it is unlocked, different settings
will be called up and executed inside the vehi-
cle, refer to Vehicle Memory on page49.
Spare key
For keeping in a safe place, e.g. in your wal-
let. This key is not intended for constant
use.
The concept
The central locking system is ready for
operation whenever the driver's door is
closed. The doors, the tailgate and the fuel
filler door are unlocked or locked.
The central locking system locks or unlocks
your vehicle:
>When operated from the outside via the
remote control as well as via the door
lock
>When operated from the inside via a
switch
>The vehicle is unlocked automatically
when the ignition key is pulled out of the
ignition switch.
If operated from outside, the anti-theft sys-
tem is activated at the same time. This pre-
vents the doors from being unlocked via
safety lock buttons or door handles.
In the event of a sufficiently severe acci-
dent, the central locking system unlocks
automatically. The hazard warning flashers
and interior lamps are also switched on.

27
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
OPENING AND CLOSING: FROM OUTSIDE
Malfunction
Local radio waves can interfere with func-
tions of the remote control.
If this occurs, lock and unlock the vehicle
via a door lock.
In the event of a system malfunction,
please contact your MINI Dealer. You can
also obtain replacement keys there.
If it is no longer possible to lock the
vehicle with the remote control, then
the battery is discharged. Use the corre-
sponding key for a longer journey so that
its battery can be recharged.<
Via the door lock
1. Turn the key.
The driver's door is unlocked.
2. Turn the key again.
All other doors, the tailgate and the fuel
filler door are unlocked.
You can have this function activated/
deactivated.<
When the vehicle is locked, the hazard
warning flashers flash once.
When the vehicle is unlocked, the hazard
warning flashers flash twice
*.
Manual operation
In the event of an electrical malfunction,
the driver's door can be unlocked or locked
by turning the key in the door lock to the
end positions.
Convenience closing via the door lock
You can also close the power windows,
glass sunroof or the convertible top via the
door lock.
With the door closed, hold the key in the
locking position.
In the MINI Convertible, the convertible top
is closed first and then the side windows.
You can have the closing of the win-
dows and glass sunroof via the door
lock activated/deactivated.<

28
OPENING AND CLOSING: FROM INSIDE
This switch locks or unlocks the doors and
tailgate when the front doors are closed,
but the anti-theft system is not activated.
The fuel filler door remains unlocked.
To lock
>Briefly press the switch downward or
>push down the safety lock button on the
passenger door. To prevent yourself from
being locked outside the vehicle acciden-
tally, the driver's door cannot be locked
with its safety lock button while it is
open.
After you have driven off, the central
locking system automatically locks
your vehicle once a certain speed has been
reached.<
You can have this function activated/
deactivated and the speed set.<
People or animals inside the vehicle
could lock the doors from the inside.
Always take the vehicle's keys with you so
that you can open the vehicle again from
the outside at any time.<
To unlock and open the doors
1. Briefly press the switch upward
2. Pull the respective door handle over the
armrest or pull the door handle for each
door twice:
The first pull unlocks the door, the sec-
ond pull opens it.
Convenience opening mode
Press the central locking switch and hold it
pressed.
MINI:
Windows and glass sunroof are opened.
MINI Convertible:
Windows and sliding sunroof are opened.
To open the convertible top:
Release the switch, then press it upwards
until the convertible top is completely open
and the windows are again closed.

49
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
VEHICLE MEMORY
How the system functions
No doubt you have often reflected on how
great it would be if you could configure
your vehicle's various adjustment settings
to meet your own personal requirements.
In developing this vehicle, the manufac-
turer of the MINI has incorporated a num-
ber of options which can be programmed
specifically for your vehicle.
What the system can do
Your MINI Dealer can provide you with
details on the capabilities of the Vehicle
Memory system.
Examples for Vehicle Memory:
>Automatic locking if none of the vehicle
doors are opened, refer to page26
>Automatic locking after starting to drive,
refer to page28
>Selective central locking system, refer to
pages26, 27
>Convenience operation, refer to
pages26, 27
>Pathway lighting, refer to page59
>Daytime driving lamps, refer to page60
>Speed-dependent windshield wipers,
refer to page62
>Setting units for outside temperature
and fuel consumption display, refer to
page69>Setting units for display of temperatures
specified for automatic climate control
system, refer to page83
>Volume control PDC, refer to page77
>Acoustic alarm for starting PDC activa-
tion, refer to page77.
This symbol alerts you to Vehicle
Memory functions in the Owner's
Manual.<
After memory functions have been
reconfigured, your vehicle may oper-
ate slightly differently from the descrip-
tions used in this Owner's Manual. If you
decide to sell your vehicle one day, please
remember to have the memory functions
reset to their default configuration.<